Mining machine



June. 21, 1932.

M. P. HOLMES 1,863,848 MINING MACHINE original Filed March 29. 192? Patented June 21, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT orifice MORRIS P. HOLMES, OE CLAHEMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR To sIiLLIvAN MACHINERY COMPANY, A CORPORATION OP MASSACHUSETTS MINING MACHINE riginal application led March 29, 1927, Serial No. 179,357, and in vGrreat Britain February 21, 1928. Divided and this applicaton iledAugust 25, 1930. Serial No. 477,765.

rI`his invention relates to mining machines and more particularly has reference to improvements in the cutting mechanism of such machines.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved mining machine cutting mechanism. A further object is to provide an improved kerf cutting mechanism of the pivoted cutter bar type having improved means for locking the cutter bar in its different positions of adjustment. A further object of this invention is to provide an improved controlling means for the cut-ter chain drive which has associated therewith improved locking means for the pivoted cutter bar. Still another object is to provide an impro-ved pivotal mounting for a mining machine cutter bar.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawing there is shown for purposes of illustration one form which the invention may assume in practice.

In this drawing, Y

Fig. 1 is a. plan view of a coal mining machine having incorporated therein the illustrative embodiment of the improved cutting mechanism.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, longitudinally eX- tending, vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view illustratingthe cutter chain clutch and the improved bar locking means associated therewith, the cont-rolling parts being shown in a plurality of positions.

Fig. l is a detail view of the cutter chain control clutch and bar lock shown in Fig. 3.

1n this illustrative form of the invent-ion, which is a division of my copending application Ser. No. 179,357, filed March 29, 1927, now matured into Patent No. V1,815,873, patented July 21, 1931, there is shown a mining machine desifrnated as an entirety by the reference character 1 and which is herein of the. flexibly fed, continuous cutter type. The machine 1 generally comprises a machine frame 2 adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor. Pivotally mounted on the machine frame 2 for swinging movement relative thereto about a vertical aXis 3 is an elongated horizontal plane cutter bard about the margin of which a cutter bit carryingcutter Chain 5 is adapted to be circulated. The cutter bar l is adapted to be locked in diiferent positions with respect to the machine frame, the cutter bar being disposable in a. position extending longitudinally OI" the machine frame Vor at right angles to the machine frame and at either side thereof. Feeding of the machine may be accomplished by either of two flexible feeding elements 6 and 7, each cooperating with a feed operating member in the manner described in the aforesaid appiication. f

In specifically describing theimproved cutting mechanism, it will herein be noted that housed within the machine frame is amotor 8 which may be of theV reversible type having its power shaft 9 horizontally disposed and v extending longitudinally of the machine. Fixed `to the power shaft 9 as shown in Fig. 2 is a bevel pinion 10 meshing with a horizontally disposed bevel gear 11. lRotatable with the gear v11 is a spur pinion 12 meshing 7 with a spur gear 18. This spur gear has a cylindrical hub portion 14 suitably journaled on anti-friction bearings supported by a vertical stud 15. As'illustrated', the cylindrical sleeveportion of the gear 13 is connected by a semi-permanent 'clutch 16 to a clutch .element 17 loosely j ournaled on the stud 15. Rotatably mounted on the hub of this clutch `element is a clutch element 18 Vconnected as by a semi-permanent clutch 19 to the hub of a cutter chain drive sprocket 20 which engages and drives, in a manner well understood in the art, the cutter chain 5. lThis cutter chain drive sprocket is rotatably mounted on anti-friction bearings supported by the 0 stud 15. Formed in the machine frame is a vertical bore 21V within which is vertically reciprocable a cylindrical clutch shipper member or ring 22connected at 23 to an internally toothed clutch element 24 having teeth interlocked with the teeth of the clutch element 17 and connectible with the teeth of the clutch element 18 aswill hereinafter be described.

In the present construction the'bottom section of the pivoted cutter bar 4 is provided with an annular bearing portion mounted on a bearing sleeve 26 supported by a step bearing 27 secured to the machine frame. Disposed at the opposite side of the sprocket from this step bearing isa depending annular portion 28 herein formed integral with the machine frame. Engaging the opposite sides of the cutter chain Sprocket 20and carried respectively bythe step bearing 27 and annular fra-me portion 28 are oil retaining rings 29 for preventing leakage of oil from the interior of the machine and also preventing the entry of any foreign substances into the internal mechanism. The upper section of the cutter bar 4 is mounted for swinging movement on Vbearing `sleeves 30 and 31 supported on a cylindrical portion 32 of the machine frame at opposite sides of a cylindrical flange 33 herein formed integral with the frame portion 28. Secured by bolts 34 to the cutter bar 4 is a bearing and lockingy ring 35 herein preferably composed of two parts to facilitate assembly. This locking ring is provided with a recess 36 to which one of the feed cables 6, 7 is connect-ible in a' lsuitable manner to effect swinging of the cutter bar about its pivot relative to the machine frame. Also formed in the locking ring 35 is a plurality, herein three, of locking recesses or grooves 37. The locking ringV forms a part of the pivotal mounting or'the cutter bar and is rotatably mounted on the bear-ing sleeve 30. Y

The improved operating mechanism for the cutter chain clutch 24 and the improved bar locking means associated therewith speciiically comprises upst'andinglugs' 4()V (see Fig. 3) herein formed integral with the shipper ring 22. The lugs. 40 carry' Yinwardly projecting pins 41 which cooperate with the slotted ends 42 of a shipper means 43 having its side arms pivotally mounted at 44 on horizontal shafts 45 carried by detachable bearing brackets 46 suitably bolted t'o the machine frame. The arms ofthe` shipper means are disposed at each side of the gear 11 and are pivotally connected at 48 to radial arms 49 formed on sleeves 50 supported by a horizontal shaft 51 extending transversely of the machine iframe. As rshown in Fig. 4, the sleeves are clutched at 52 to sleeves 53, the latter in turn being clutched at their inner ends at 54 to a. rotatable 'locking member 55 also supported by the shaft 51. The locking member 55 is kadaptedrto cooperate with the. recesses or notchesV 37 formedin the lockingy ring 35 secured to the cutter bar 4. The sleeves 53 are rotatably mounted in bearings 56 herein formed integral with the machine frame. Clutched at 57 to the outer ends of the sleeves 50 are handles 58 disy posed atopposite sides of the machine. `The handles 58 are adapted to be held in different adjusted positions by means of adjustable locking pins 59 carried by the handles and 2,Y the clutch member 24. is moved to connect the' clutch elements 17, 18, consequently connecting the cutter chain sprocket 2O in driving relation with the motor; Upon further movement ot the handle 58 (to the dottedposition in Fig. 3) the locking member 55 leaves the locking recess 37. Upon still further movement of the handle 58 the clutch 24 is moved again to its disengaged position while the locking member 55 remains in releasing relation. It is therefore obvious that the single handle 58 may be operated to control both the cutter bar lock and the driving of the cutter chain.

As a result of this invention it will be noted that an improved mining machine cutting mechanism is provided wherein the cutter bar is pivotally mounted on the machine frame is an improved manner. It will further be noted that the improved controllingmeans is provided for the bar locking means and the cutter chain clutch, it being possible by associating the bar locking means with the cutn ter chain clutch control tor lock the cutter bar and control the cutter chain by but a single control handle, thereby greatly facilitating the operation of the machine. These and other uses and advantages of the improved Vcutting mechanism will be clearly apparent Vto those skilled in the art.

While there is in this application specifically described one form which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

Vhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: l

1. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a motor in said frame,y cutting mechanism driven by said motor including a cutter bar pivoted on said frame and means for swinging said cutter bar about its pivot, and means separate from said bar swinging means for locking said cutter bar to saidframe in different positions to which it is radjustedby swing about said pivot, comprising a rotatable locking ring secured to said bar and having locking recesses on its periphery, and a rotatable locking member carriediby said frame and having a locking portion adapted i' to selectively cooperate with said recesses.

2. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a motor in said frame, cutting mechanism driven by said motor including a cutter bar pivoted on said frame and means for swinging said cutter bar about its pivot, and means separate from said bar swinging means for locking said cutter bar to said frame in different positions to which it is adjusted by swing about said pivot, comprising a rotatable locking ring secured to said bar and having locking recesses on its periphery, and a rotatable locking member carried by said frame disposed on a horizontal axis and having a locking portion adapted to selectively cooperate with said recesses.

3. In a. mining machine, a machine frame, a motor in said frame, cutting mechanism driven by said motor including a cutter bar pivoted on said frame and means for swinging said cutter bar, and means separate from said bar swinging means for locking said cutter bar to said frame comprising a rotatable locking ring secured to said bar and having locking grooves formed on its outer periphery, and a locking member carried by said frame disposed on a horizontal transversely extending axis and having a swingable locking portion adapted to cooperate selectively with said grooves.

4. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a motor in said frame, cutting mechanism driven by said motor including a cutter bar pivoted on said frame and carrying a cutter chain, said cutting mechanism also including a cutter chain controlling clutch, meansfor locking said cutter bar to said frame comprising a locking member carried by said bar and a cooperating locking element carried by said Jframe, and a common means for actuating said cutter chain controlling clutch and said locking member.

5. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a motor in said frame, cutting mechanism driven by said motor including a cutter bar pivoted on said frame and carrying a cutter chain, said cutting mechanism also including controlling means for said cutter chain, means for locking said bar to said Jframe, and common means for actuating said cutter chain controlling means and said bar locking means.

6. In a mining machine, a machine frame having an annular flange thereon, cutting mechanism including a cutter bar pivoted on said frame, an outer thrust ring carried by said bar and cooperating with and encircling said flange for journaling said bar on said frame, said thrust ring` having spaced notches on the periphery, and means carried by said frame and cooperating with a notch in said thrust ring for locking said bar to said frame.

7. In a mining machine, a machine frame,

and a motor in said frame, cutting mechanism driven by said 'motor including a controlling clutch andau swingable cutter bar, means for locking said bar :to said frame, and common vmeans for actuating said controlling clutch and said bar locking means.

8. In a mining machine, a frame, a kerf cutter'pivotally mounted on said frame and swingable about its pivot to cut a plane keri', and means for locking said kerf cutter in its different positions about said pivot relative to said frame including a rotatable locking element carried by said frame and a cooperatinglocking element'secured to said kerf cutter, said locking element being rotatable into'and out of locking engagement with said element secured tosaid cutter.

9. In a mining machine, a frame, a kerf cutter pivotally mounted on said frame and means' for swinging said kerf cutter upon its pivot, and means separate from said kerf cutter swinging means for locking said kerf cutter in its different positions relative to said frame to which it is moved by swinging upon said pivot, including a rotatable locking element carried by said frame and acooperating locking element secured to said kerf cutter.

10. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a Vmotor in said frame, cutting mechanism driven by said motor-including a cutter bar pivoted on said frame and swingable about its pivot to cut a plane'kerf, and means for locking said cutter bar to said frame in diilerent positions to which it may be swung about said pivot comprising a rotatable locking ring secured to said bar and and having locking recesses on its periphery, and a rotatable locking member carried by said frame and having a locking portion adapted to selectively cooperate with said recesses, said locking member being rotatable'into andout oflocking engagement with said ring.

l1. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a motor in said frame, cutting mechanism driven by said motor including a cutter bar pivoted on said frame and swingable about its pivot to cut a plane kerf,'and'means for locking said cutter bar to said frame in different positions to which it may be swung about said pivot comprising a rotatable locking ring secured to said bar and having locking recesses on its periphery, and a rotatable locking member carried by said frame and disposed on a horizontal aXis and having a locking portion Yadapted to selectively cooperate with said recesses, said locking member being rotatable into and out of locking engagement with said ring.

12. In a mining machine, a machine frame,

a motor in said frame, cutting mechanism f driven by said motor including a cutter bar pivoted on said frame, and means for locking said cutter bar to said frame comprising'a rotatable locking ring secured to said bar and having locking grooves formed on its outer periphery, and a locking member carried by said frame and disposed .on 'a horizontal transversely extending aXis and having a sWingable locking portionadapted to. co.- operate selectively with said grooves, said flocking member being rotatable into vand out of locking. engagement With said rind.

13. .In a mining machine, a frame, a `kerf cutter-pivotally mounted on saidframe and swingable aboutits pivot to cut a plane kerf, and meansY for locking said ,kerf cutter in its different positions relative to said frame to which it is moved VbysWinging about said pivot, including a rotatablelocking element carried by said frame and a cooperating locking element secured to said kerf cutter, said rotatable locking element being rotatable into and out of locking engagement with said cooperating locking element. n

14. In a mining machine,.a machine frame, cutting mechanism carried by said frame including a. controlling clutch and a sivingable cutter bar, means for locking said bar to said frame, Operatingmeans for` ysaid controlling clutch, operating means forv said bar locking means, and a common control handle for actuating both of said operating means.

15. In a mining machine, a machine frame, cutting mechanism carried by said frame including a controlling clutch and a swingable Y cutter bar, means for locking'said bar to said frame, operating means for said controlling clutch, operating means for said bar locking means, and a common control handle for actu- M Y, ating both of said operating means whereby *S5 when said handle is 4turned in kone direction the cutter bar is first locked and the controlling clutch thereafter connected.

16. lIn al mining machine, a. cutter head, a

cutter bar, and means for pivotally supporting 4said bar on said head comprising a relatively stationary bearing ring anda svviveled bar support encircling said; ring and having bearing surfaces engaging the opposite sur- A faces at the outer edge of said ring.

*f 17. In a mining machine, a cutter head, a

cutter bar, and means for pivotally supporting said bar on said head comprisingL a relatively stationary bearing ring, a swiveled bar w support encircling said ring and having bearing surfaces engaging the opposite surfaces atthe outer edge of said ring, and a central bearing support for said sWiveled support. In'testimony whereof -Ialix my signature.

VMORRIS P. HOLMES. 

